S4YC @ Portside

Inspection of S4YC @ Portside Portside Children's Centre, Egerton Street, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 2BY

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy at the nursery. They are welcomed by warm, friendly staff at the door. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children confidently leave their parents with big smiles on their faces. They settle to play quickly with their friends.

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The provision is good

Children learn many new skills, which help to support their development and next stage in their education. For example, children's communication and language is a high priority for the nursery. They are taught simple sign language alongside vocabulary to support their language acquisition. Children are provided with many opportunities to be physically active outdoors. They enjoy exploring the climbing frame, digging in the mud kitchen, riding bicycles and scooters. Some children have mastered walking on low level stilts. Children squeal with delight at their achievements.

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The provision is good

Children's interests are planned for through play-based activities, such as role play, water play, dinosaurs and number activities. This helps to motivate and excite them to learn. Staff have identified that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on children's social skills. As a result, children benefit from opportunities, such as playing games and small group work, to develop turn taking.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is ambitious, well planned and based on children's interests. Staff support the learning of their key children well. They know what children can do and what they need to do next. For example, children play in the water play singing 'Five Little Ducks' and develop their counting skills. Staff support children in their play. This helps to ensure all children make good progress. n The indoor and outdoor environments are carefully planned. Children enjoy accessing a balance of planned adult-led activities, such as the parachute game. As well as leading their own play, for example selecting resources independently to draw. This helps engage children and maximise their learning. n Routines are well developed across the nursery. Children wait patiently at the table for their food to be served. They demonstrate good table manners and social skills as they enjoy their healthy snack. Young children master the skill of

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need to do better?

using a spoon to eat their yoghurt. This ensures snack time is a pleasant experience for all children. n Staff develop positive relationships with the children. Generally, they have high expectations for children's behaviour. This ensures the environment usually remains calm. However, on occasion some children struggle to regulate their emotions and behaviour. For example, children become frustrated when they cannot put their coats on. Staff do not always effectively teach the children how

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need to do better?

6 July 2022 their behaviour can have an impact on others and how to develop self-regulation skills. n Leaders and staff know their families well. They gather information about every child when they start the nursery through an 'all about me' booklet. This ensures staff can plan effectively to support children's interests and prior experiences. However, staff do not always support children to learn about different cultures, religions and faiths other than their own. This limits their understanding and appreciation of diversity. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and the support they receive from the staff. Parents value the face-to-face communication they receive at the beginning and end of each day from their child's key person. They are very happy with the progress their children are making, especially with their speaking and confidence. n Staff well-being is a high priority for the leaders. Staff feel passionate about their

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need to do better?

job and are appreciative of the support they receive through staff supervision. They have access to online training, which ensures they are kept up to date with mandatory training as well as acquiring new skills in other areas. This ensures staff are continually developing their practice to support children's learning further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of the policies, procedures and actions they need to take to keep children safe. They are aware of the possible signs which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff know and feel comfortable with the procedures to follow if they have a whistle-blowing concern. They undertake daily risk assessment checks to ensure the nursery remains a safe place for children. All staff are trained in paediatric first aid. Health care plans are in place for children who require them. This helps to ensure all children are safe.

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should:

n provide opportunities for the children to learn about different cultures, religions and faiths n support children to learn how to regulate their behaviour and understand how this can have an impact on others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557128 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10174847 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person S4YC Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 077347 05559 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

S4YC @ Portside registered in 2018. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold early years qualifications between level 2 and 6. The nursery operates from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four- year-old-children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery has received since registration and the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders, and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager, deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk to discuss the intent of the curriculum. n Discussions were held with the director, manager, deputy manager and staff members. n The inspector observed the quality of education and the impact this had on the children's learning. n The inspector gathered the views of parents about the nursery. n The inspector and deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector reviewed a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

6 July 2022 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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